South Korea’s U-15 National Team finishes third at the Asian Youth Baseball Championship.
The Korean National Team finished third in the bronze medal game of the 11th Asian Youth Baseball Championship (U-15) on August 26 at the Weihai Baseball Field in China, defeating host China 2-1.
On the mound for Korea was Kim Dong-young (RHP). Bae Jong-yoon (R, Hwasun)바카라, Jae-hwi Jae (L, Bucheon), Uhm Jun-sang (C, Jayang), Seol Jae-min (C, Deoksu), Ha Hyun-seung (DH, Centum), Lee Hyun-min (C, Gyeongsang), Kim Min-kyu (3B, Jayang), Ko Gun-woo (1B, Masan-dong), and Choi Woo-joon (2B, Gyeongsang) made up the batting lineup.
From left: Kim Young-joon, Park Ki-won, Seol Jae-min, Uhm Jun-sang, and Bae Jong-yoon. Photo: Korea Baseball Softball Association
U-15 National Team’s Kim Dong-young is honored in the bronze medal game. Photo: Korea Baseball Softball Association
Both teams’ bats aggressively attacked their pitchers, but were unable to capitalize until the fourth inning. Frustrated, the Korean bats took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kim Min-kyu hit a grounder in front of the shortstop, and while Song was at the plate to stop the runner, he stole second, putting runners on first and second. Eighth baseman Ko Gun-woo was unfortunate to see his line drive fly out to center field, but ninth baseman Choi Woo-joon hit a double to left field to bring home the runner from second, and Bae Jong-yoon followed with an RBI single to left field.
Kim Dong-young was perfect in the circle, shutting down the Chinese offense for 4.2 innings. Kim Ji-woo (Gangnam Middle School 3) pitched the rest of the inning, allowing one run to end the game.
Meanwhile, in the final game of the tournament, Chinese Taipei won the title with a 6-1 victory over Japan. Park Ki-won won the winning percentage award (2-1), Uhm Jun-sang won the most RBIs (10), and Bae Jong-yoon won the best defense award. Kim Young-joon (relief pitcher), Bae Jong-yoon (outfielder), and Seol Jae-min (designated hitter) were named to the tournament’s all-star team. The team will return home on July 27 at 2 p.m. via Incheon International Airport.